Regarding Dogs and Snow Bikes

We love dogs.  And we really love snow bikes.  The folks who maintain the trails own both.  However, we've had the unfortunate report of dogs harassing and now **biting** other visitors on the trail.  Likewise we've had those with snow bikes out digging into the skate lanes recently.

If you're a dog owner, be absolutely sure of your dog's ability to behave around others.  Being able to call your dog to you after a negative interaction with others is too late. Nordic skiers range from those on slow touring skis to very fast racers.  If you can't be sure of your dog's temperament and ability to avoid even playfully chasing others moving quickly, please keep your dog on a leash or leave them home.

Also please remember that to avoid fouling the hard work of the groomers you keep your dog on the outside edge of all groomed trails.  Even small dogs can leave problematic paw prints in the groomed lanes.  And if your dog needs to relieve itself on the trail, please bring a bag to clean up after it.  No one wants to ski over dog droppings.

Snow bikes are not allowed on the Teton Lakes trails.  Perhaps at some future date we'll have enough time and resources to groom a track for snow bikes, but until then there are many excellent trails locally that will accommodate snow bikes.  See our sister blog for details.

Your good example in both not biking on the trails and controlling and cleaning up after your pet will encourage others to do the same.  We hope that those who read this blog will serve as ambassadors to other dog owners and cyclists.  When you see others who may be ignorant of our policies, please kindly direct them to this blog for instructions and policies.  We try to keep plenty of flyers and business cards with the web address stocked at the trail kiosk.

Grooming update

The track has been groomed! I'm not sure how much of it, but it looks like there's plenty of good skiing. 

Morning track report

Last I heard, Doug was planning on grooming yesterday afternoon. However, we got a bunch of new snow overnight so everything is fresh powder again. I don't know if there will be any grooming today. Our new ATV with tracks should be ready for use at the beginning of next week.  That means we won't have to borrow and return (and borrow & return) the snow machine we've been using the past two weeks (yippee!). I'm amazed how Doug & Randy have continued keeping the track up since the original snow machine died. 

I'll post anything I hear about grooming as soon as I know.

Someone has been out skating through the powder this morning already. I also see classic tracks out. One skier texted me that she saw the mama moose out there this morning. Wildlife, fresh snow, and a winter wonderland. Gotta love it, groomed or ungroomed.

This is the track at 10:30 am:

Cupid Cup Reminder

Don't forget to come to the Cupid Cup fundraiser!  Click on the Cupid Cup tab above for more information.

Wednesday Track Report & Trail Etiquette Reminder

The track is really great right now.  It hasn't been over-skied since grooming (Doug was out on Monday, not sure if he went out yesterday) and the base is firm but not icy.  Like a kid's favorite stuffed animal, the first kilometer of the track is well-loved and pretty ragged.   I'm delighted that people are using it.  Beyond that, the track settles down and there's even still corduroy to enjoy for skaters.  Like the Perimeter, the Cow Pasture has had some good grooming attention this week.

The inside skate tracks are all skiable, and the Boot is very nice.  However, it looks like the Clover Leaf hasn't been groomed in about a week.  It has a good layer of powdery snow on top, and you won't break any speed records, but you can definitely still skate on it.

Have a nice time out there.  Please read the notices on the Sign Board next to the Port-a-Potty regarding Trail Etiquette and Dogs.  We've had some trouble with people not understanding that the track is not for walking on.  Footprints ruin the track and trip up skiers.  Also, if you bring a dog, it needs to stay clear to the side especially if the track is soft, and should always be under control and never allowed to run around other skiers.

Thank you, as always, to the many hours our groomers put in to make this a great place for skiing!

Nove Mesto Relay Women

Races from this weekend.  Classic races first, then skate.  The women went first when the snow was cooler, so they use diagonal stride more than double poling in the classic race.  Men went later, used mostly double poling (and I'm just reporting what the announcers said - I'm no expert).

Nove Mesto Relay Men

Classic races are first, then skate later.  Watch how they classic skiers primarily use double pole.  They announcers said these guys went waxless - just using glide, not kick wax, so they're relying on their arms for speed.

January 25 Grooming Report

We had to return the borrowed snow machine over the weekend, but we got it back today and Doug was on it with the Ginzu Groomer this afternoon.  The snow is fast, but not so fast that you ski out from underneath yourself.  CH6 worked great.

Friends of Harriman State Park: Feathers 'n' Fins Skiathon Postponed to 2017

Friends of Harriman State Park: Feathers 'n' Fins Skiathon Postponed to 2017: "Golden Lake Dam Breech - Harriman State Park of Idaho As many may have already heard, the Golden Lake Dam collapsed at Harriman State Park Wednesday January 13.... After examination of the alternate options available it was determined that the best strategy would be to postpone the event until we are able to provide an adequate course to the event participants."

Ski Lessons

Check the Ski Lessons tab up above for information on Cross Country ski lessons.  Joel is offering to coach individuals or groups for free this winter.  It's a fantastic opportunity for newbies and experienced skiers alike to get some great instruction.

Jan 22 Grooming Report

Just heard from Doug this morning (many thanks as always to Doug & Randy!). He reports:

The trail has been groomed, Randy and I spent time and by last night late it was in the best condition of the season. All the bare spots are covered and the base is very firm, yet not rock hard.

Grooming update

We were able to borrow a good, strong sled (thank you for tracking it down, Randy! And thanks so much for helping us get it, Scott!) and Doug is out rolling the perimeter of the skate track plus the Cow Pasture (see the trail map tab up above) right now. He's been working on it since 6am. Thank you, Doug! So many people pitch in to make this work. 

Skating looks great, albeit soft. The track setter isn't hooked up yet, so no classic ski tracks yet.

Update: as I finished skating at 2pm, Randy was on the snow machine, rolling out the inside skate tracks - the Boot and the Clover Leaf. Randy also told me he has a "Farmer's Fix" that will connect the classic track setter to the snow machine, so hopefully we will have classic tracks later today.

The track is still pretty soft, but it'll set up very nicely. Enjoy!

Morning Grooming Report January 20

Wow. Doug rolled the course this morning by tying the roller to a smaller sled. Thank you, Doug! Grooming came sooner than I had anticipated (hooray!). 

Heads up, we are getting lots of new snow and lots of wind, so the track may be wind blown.

No Grooming Update yet

Still no word on the condition of the broken snow machine.  We are exploring a few options, which unfortunately do take a little time.  Keep your fingers crossed. Meanwhile, you can break your own trail at the golf course or try out Kelly Canyon, Teton Canyon, Alta (Teton Valley in general), Targhee, Jackson, Pocatello, Harriman, West Yellowstone (and someone mentioned they'd heard of a groomed course in Idaho Falls?).  I don't know what the trail etiquette for skiing on snowmobile trails is, but we do have some of those up on the dry farms if you're careful not to get run over...  If the weather keeps warming and cooling enough, we might get some crust cruising up there.

Keep checking back.  I'll post any progress we make.  I don't think it'll be too much longer (maybe a day or so?) until we're up and rolling again.

Planica Sprints

(Pronounced Plah-neet-zah).

Just for kicks, since I posted a classic race last time, I'm posting the Freestyle (Skate) Sprints from a couple of days ago.

Track Conditions Update

I stopped by the course around 2pm and saw probably 10 cars parked there.  In addition to the kids sledding on the sled hill, there are plenty of adventurous people out cross-country skiing.  If you go out, you'll likely need to break your own trail.  It's a good day for classic and compact touring skis.  Actually, it's a good day for snowshoes!

One of our Ski Club kids reported that he saw the roller on the east side of the course, but that the snow machine was gone.  Getting the snow machine unstuck is good news, although I'm afraid it may need some repairs before it is serviceable again.  It's probably safe to say there will be no grooming today, and I'm not sure what tomorrow will bring, but I'll post an update as soon as I hear anything.

Live Moose and Dead Snow Machine

Joel shared the Teton Lakes course today with a mother moose and her calf.  Pretty amazing.  This is probably the same Mom that visits every year or so.  Like any good mom, she'll defend her baby if you get too close.  Please give her plenty of space if you see her.  What a beautiful picture!  

Joel also reports that the snow is pretty deep and the groomer was abandoned on the perimeter.  After talking with the groomers about it, it looks like the snow machine might be dead.  Darn. 

Thankfully, we have a Plan B.  And a Plan C. And maybe a Plan D.  Each of the options may take a couple of days to figure out, so heads up - you'll be skiing in nice, new powder (which some non-skating people really like!).  I'll update the blog when I have more information.  

And yes, the Cupid Cup is still on.  Click on the tab on the far right up above for info.  

Grooming Update January 13

Randy cleaned up the skate & classic tracks this morning with one pass on the groomer. He says it looks like a good ski day. Thanks, as always, to both Doug and Randy for their volunteer time, fuel, expertise and equipment that make the course such a fun place to ski for so many people!

Grooming update

Just got word that Doug groomed late last night, with two passes on the perimeter and one in the inside skate tracks. Thank you, Doug! The course should be great for skiing. This new snow is just what we needed!

Cupid Cup

Click on the Cupid Cup tab above (far right tab) for more information.

It's back!  

If you'd like to help us advertise contact

stephanie_hancock at mac.com

Grooming Update

Doug and Randy both worked on the track last night while the rest of us slept (thank you!!). It cleaned up nicely, although we do need more snow. Watch out for a few grassy spots. Should be nice skiing today.

Tour de Ski Stage 4

Ryan pointed this out to us. If you get a chance, watch the whole thing.  If you don't have time, skip through to 1:18 to watch the women's final.  Spoiler alert:  American Sophie Caldwell has a fantastic race.

Track Conditions

It looks like there's been  at least one grooming pass on the skate lane (I love seeing corduroy).  I didn't check if the Boot was done, but it looked like the skate tracks on the Clover Leaf and the Cow Pasture (as well as the Perimeter) got some much-needed attention.  Thanks so much to the Groomers!  The track cleaned up nicely.  Although right now it's pretty soft, we have a good base so it is holding up.  According to Randy and Brian both, this is where the right wax and a structure tool could come in handy.  I was on CH7 yesterday and started out fine (this was mid-day) but by the half-way mark I was really sticking.  I'm no wax expert, but I wonder if this would be a good time to pull out the Fluoro waxes. 
Taking a suggestion from Randy, today I hopped on my fish scaled touring skis for the first time in a few years. (Scaled bases are a great alternative to sticky yellow wax, or even worse: klister.)  The Classic Track at the course was very nice, although my skiing wasn't.  Might be time to focus on honing some classic skills...
Happy Trails, and think cooler thoughts!

Nordic Kids Club

We will see you all out at the golf course today. Randy has set a perfect practice loop for us to work out on. Should be a great day to ski.

Reminder: Practice starts at 4:15, and we start wrapping up around 5, finish by 5:10-ish. Bring your skis, boots & poles. We can store your skis & poles in the ski shed. 

If you ride the bus out, you'll need someone to bring the skis & poles since they aren't allowed on the bus. 

Please contact me if you need info or help: stephanie_hancock@mac.com or text 2083171365 (please let me know who you are). Thanks!

Grooming Update

Just got great news from Randy:

All skate tracks buffed out and cow pasture cleaned up. The practice loop is done, also.

Thanks again to our fantastic volunteer groomers!